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2019 - The Year So Far ...

The death of Phil Archer marks the end of an Ambridge era but new life is on the way as Helen decides to enter single-motherhood, to the consternation of her father. The Brookfield Archers experience the joys of teenage children with love-sick Pip eventually being dumped over the phone and Josh being caught in the act of tagging with Jamie; in the wake of his father's death, Jamie gets into lots more trouble, his problems exacerbated by Kenton's split from Kathy. Of course Sid's death weighs most heavily on Jolene, who is finding life in Ambridge very difficult now, though newcomer Harry is most helpful and has made a big impression on Fallon too. Alice and Christopher marry in secret and Kate returns to wreak havoc in her usual fashion. Matt, released from prison, loses no time in putting one over on his 'friends' at Borchester Land.

Ambridge events are dominated by Matt's business troubles; eventually sent down for fraud, he causes a temporary split from Lilian, a temporary rift between Tom and Brenda and almost derails Tom's plan to take his pigs away from Home Farm. TB troubles behind him, Oliver offers the Grange Farm tenancy to Ed. The Bridge Farm drainage scheme gets the go-ahead. Roy and Hayley move back to Ambridge into the newly divided Willow Farm and Mike fills the other half with a new other half, Vicky. Greg's daughter Annette arrives and moves in with Helen in her new flat above the shop, eventually being seduced by Helen's Australian barman, whose charms fool almost everybody. Shula feels it necessary to worship elsewhere and her father-in-law moves to Ambridge, keen to learn the village's murky secrets - especially hers. Peggy has to admit that she can no longer care for Jack at home, so he moves into The Laurels.

A difficult year for Kathy who has to face the trial of Owen Taylor; he gets 15 years. Difficult too for Ruth who comes through her operation. The biodigester is the talk of Ambridge for a while. The Aldridge family is divided by Brian's plans for Ruairidh's inheritance, with Jennifer threatening divorce if Brian doesn't sort things out to suit her. Roy and Hayley lose the competition to buy No.1 The Green but Mike has an idea for Willow Farm. Baby Abigail is born prematurely but Hayley has to leave her in hospital. Opinions are mixed when Alan and Usha marry (twice!); Shula's slip to The Echo promises to sour her relationship with the vicar for the years ahead. Grange Farm comes out from the cloud of TB but Oliver decides it's time to close down the herd. Matt moves to find his roots as his business problems deepen. Will and Ed come to blows causing Will to go missing for a while. A six-month attachment in Gloucester allows Will to get away from seeing Emma with Ed as they take up residence in Rickyard Cottage. Ultimately Nic takes his mind off this problem. Alice and Christopher get very close as Alice prepares for University. Pat and Tony take the plunge and buy Bridge Farm from Borchester Land. Jack's dementia takes a new turn; Peggy finally admits that she can't cope. Marjorie Antrobus dies.

The year we bid farewell to John, Uncle Tom and Pru, greeted three additions to the clan; two by marriage and one newborn, and (probably) saw Nelson disappear over the horizon forever. And the year of the Sunday episode ...